By Derek Thompson | The Selma Times-Journal

As Concordia College Alabama’s new track and field head coach, Oronde Walker wants to turn his athletes’ passion for sports into educational opportunities.

“It goes beyond track and field once you graduate college,” Walker said. “It’s all about that career and those job opportunities that can be out there for them if they continue to run track.”

Walker was hired to replace Timeka Ross nearly two weeks ago. He competed as one of the former head coach’s athletes from 2009 to 2011 and was Ross’ assistant in 2012 and 2013.

“I learned a lot from her as an athlete and as her assistant,” Walker said. “We still have a tremendous relationship. She was hard-nosed, but very caring and supportive. She just wanted to get the job done.”

Walker said he wants to continue instilling the same discipline and family environment that Ross brought to the program, but also bring his own coaching philosophy.

“I just want these students to realize that hard work pays off in track and field and in the classroom,” Walker said.

“I want my students to have above a 2.0 (GPA) at the end of the school year. Track and field is going to happen, but it’s all about that classroom to me. That goes beyond track. I can say that because I was an athlete that took my education serious. That’s why I’m in the position that I am now.”

Walker said his number one goal is retaining most of his athletes.

“I’m going to keep the students wanting to come back each year and performing not just in track and field, but in the classroom as well,” Walker said. “I want to see them come back for two more years. That’s the first step. I really want these students to come back and continue their education.”

For the past two years, Walker has been the assistant director for a mentoring program that offers seven free credit hours to freshman who are going to attend Concordia.

“The program helps me recruit students who want to run track, but also gives them the opportunity to get seven credit hours for free,” Walker said. “It’s all about the students and their academic success.”

Ten student-athletes are returning from last year’s roster and 10 more spots are still open.

Walker said he has talked to the returning athletes about the coaching changes and is excited about the future of the program.

“That’s a plus to always talk to the athletes that were under a previous coach, so you can have them understand what’s going to happen when they get here,” Walker said.

Marquis Gibson, who also serves as Concordia’s defensive backs coach, will be Walker’s assistant and coach the 100-and-200-meter racers.

Preseason tryouts will be held the second week of October and official tryouts will be in January 2016.